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Figure 4. Known large prehistoric sites in the CA-LAN-2464 vicinity.

The core of the Tataviam area is characterized as a transition zone between the Mediterranean
coastal chaparral and the arid western Mojave Desert. Along the northern-facing slopes is a hard chaparral
community, dominated by California lilac (Ceanothus sp.), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius),
and scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia), with groves of interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni) concentrated
in sheltered northern exposures. The prevailing southern-facing landscapes are dominated by a soft
chaparral plant community, with chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), buckwheat (Eriogonum
fasciculatum), black sage (Salvia mellifera), and elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) (Caruso 1988; King
and Blackburn 1978). Although other primary vegetable foods, including acorns (Quercus sp.), juniper
berries (Juniperus californica), islay (Prunus ilicifolia), and various seeds, roots, and corms, were of
some importance, it is widely regarded that the Tataviam relied more heavily on Yucca (Y. whipplei) as a
major staple than did neighboring peoples (Caruso 1988; King and Blackburn 1978; McIntyre 1979;
Milburn 1998b).
For practical implements, the entire developmental sequence of the yucca plant has uses. The
fibers from the leaves were woven for cordage and sandal manufacture, and could be pounded for the

SCA Proceedings, Volume 22 (2009) Vance, p. 5